Please don't post things like MPG and hotrods don't go together.. This will be a daily driver ratrod

Thanks Uri

 

Please don't post things like MPG and hotrods don't go together.. This will be a daily driver ratrod

. Nowadays, we build all our street vehicles for good HP with good MPG... we always did... Detroit didn't in early 1970's... even some 1980's...

. Lots of turbo 4's for RWD available in Ford vehicles (you didn't say couldn't be Ford... or imported...)... Pontiac/Chevy 'Iron Duke' 4-bangers for RWD from 1977 on rated 28 MPG City/34 Mpg Hiway... many with 5-speed overdrive manual trannies... also, getting scarce, but 1960's Buick/Olds/Pontiac and later Rover/MG/Triumph/Morgan version of the all-aluminum 215" V8's...

. Most any V8 can be rebuilt with higher compression ratio/higher compression height pistons, good engine quench, properly tuned carb./EFI, headers/freeflowing exhaust, and mild modern high lift/short duration cam to get 30 MPG in smaller/lighter to mid-sized vehicles... and the higher efficiency of such an engine gives a boost in HP, as well...

. BTW, where are you located? It's not in your signature...

 

What car? Any other preferences?

 

41 chevy truck cab on tube frame.. end style should be something like this

 

As for preferences there aren't really any.. Power is taking a back seat on this build.. all about mpg for a daily driver

 

I'd think about one of the small LS motors, like a 4.8 or 5.3, backed by a T56 or your choice of auto. With the right gearing and a bit of aero work to the truck (especially on the underbody), getting close to 30 mpg highway shouldn't be too hard, and it wouldn't be slow at all in a 2000 lb vehicle.

 

My 3 cylinder "Ferrari" gets 45+ mpg. maybe plug one in the back, complete with transaxle.

 

As far has hot rodding goes the 4.3 6 cyl still looks cool and has many parts available and you can bolt up most transmission. A 2000 lbs vehicle will get good mileage from just about any engine but you've gotta manage fixed losses such as ring drag and reciprocating losses. Using a 6cyl improves that by 25% right off the bat. Am I missing something...kind of obvious...I'm surprised no one already mentioned it.

 

ummm naaa. I've built a couple of 4.3s, but for one they don't get good milage at all for a v-6, and for another they sound.. uhhhh…. like a v-6

 

To get that kind of gas mileage you need a 4 cylinder engine. If you want to keep some power it should be a turbo.

I can't think off-hand of a RWD turbo 4/auto trans combo that that would work as a complete transplant, but there may be one. Most of the current American made 4 cylinder engines are in FWD cars. Something like the drivetrain from a modern (2012-2014) BMW 328 (turbo 2.0) sounds about right, but its a relatively new drivetrain and I don't think you could get one cheap.

Bruce

 

This one seems like a no-brainer
Motor and trans from a Pontiac Solstice
GXP version would give you 250+HP, which at your target weight would be an absolute rocket and get 30+MPG
A base non turbo would still be quick, and get even better mileage.

 

Saturn SL2 5 speed. Fun, dent resistant, and 40 mpg.

 

Yea I've actually been thinking an ecotec might do well... Down side is finding one

 

Why not buick 3800, almost as much after market stuff as vilified Chevy 4.3. That's an obvious one too or does the Buick v6 suck too?

 

compared to other older domestic V6's the buick 3800 is actually pretty good. compared to a foreign job... not that great. The newer domestic V6's are pretty great, but the ecu's are a PITA and the cost is relatively high.

You can get an RB20det shipped to your door with a 5 speed trans for $1200. you can modify it as you want, or just leave it stock. It'll last for damn near forever if you take care of it and will be a little more exciting than a 4 banger.

 

I would go LS. The newer Vette's get can get 28-low 30's with an automatic and a car 1300lbs heaver than yours. Besides if you put any kind of 4 or 6 banger in there your resale value will be about half.

If its really just about fuel economy get a 4 banger diesel.

 

comparing the aero on a vette to the aero on this rat rod is foolish at best. Additionally, the newer vette's run lt1's.

highway mpg's are dictated by aero NOT weight. weight factors in to city mpg's.

that being said, you could get decent mpg's with an LS and a 5 or 6 speed.

 

where are you located? It's not in your signature...

Mooresville, NC.

 

Detroit Speed is located in Mooresville. I bought one of their selecta-speed wiper kits for my 67 Camaro. In 2004 I also bought a 1100 Yamaha V Star from a man living there. I had to go to a storage unit as I came into Mooresville.

 

Grab a 4cyl 5 speed ford ranger and use everything you can from it. You'll want to look at Moon discs, a closed hood etc etc. I'd look at bonneville cars for some aerodynamic cues on roadsters that actually work at lowering the drag coefficient.

Special Interest: Ford "Super Coupe" Thunderbird. 3.8L supercharged V6, T5 5spd and IRS...

 

This is one possible option, chevy, nissan, toyota, etc also all made 4cyl "minitrucks" that you could look at. The power for the most part sucks but they are efficient.

The controlling factor won't be your engine though- it'll be aero and tune. Whatever engine you end up with you better be planning on custom tuned EFI.

 

Dodge D-50 mini-Ram truck? Has the same shortblock as the Turbo Mitsu Eclipse; with a RWD layout and usually a manual trans?

 

use the GM 2.2,it has a conversion for north south.It has a tonne of hot rod and turbo options,tough engine,stock has enough power. My Cobalt got over 40 MPG driving quite fast. Should net way over 30 in your truck.
I was considering doing the exact same thing,found a bone yard with a dozen trucks from the 40s,,,

 

just use a solstice transmission, but its not that great of an engine- not bad, but nothing special enough to warrant extra expense.

 

WOW...a metric tonne Just playin' Vinnie

 

AG,we are on the metric system in Canada,same as every other country in the world except U.S. and maybe 2 other countries.
metric tonne is 2200 pounds by U.S. standards,and that is a lot of parts,lol.

reason for 2.2 as they are silly cheap and solid platforms,especially mileage oriented.
Up here where I live I can get a drive able wrecked Cavalier/Sunfire (without reggie) for as low as $250.oo.
There is a hotrod shop that converts 3 series BMWs to turbo 2.2s making 360 horse power,because they are so cheap. Not dissing the BMW 1.8s/2.0s just the costs,,, Same shop does the Toyota I6s into long nose sports cars

 

The Toyota i6 is a hell of an engine for it's small displacement. The 2.2s are cheap until you look at a trans. Good engine but the trans options are limited.

 

I know the 2.2 is a good engine.. And I know its solid because its one of the most used engines is sandrails.. but its like ap72 said the wiring is a PITA and I'm not sure its worth it

 

Any ideas on aero improvements?

 

how do the sand rail guys do the wiring for a 2.2?

 

They send the ecu etc off and there are a few guys who chop em up etc

 

you could do that also. Or choose another engine,though likely the same scenario,,,

 

I get 21mpg in a 77 camaro, and that was with a th350 and a 25 yr ld cat and a terrible 8 into 1 exhaust!

I have heard of ppl building 307's that get 28mpg and make good torque, id stick to the smaller v8's possibly, 600 cfm carb and small runners and i reckon its possible. 2000lbs is also light so ud feel it more.. sure u can do it - good luck!

wide lsa, not too much duration, maybe around 210/210.. get good dcr and make it breath well..

if u are going auto - if u have TC lock then dont worry about matching your cruise rpm to cam,eg (200-4r/700-4r) - it doesnt matter what stall cos the highway will lock it in -

th350/400 dont have TC lock iirc so ull have to pay attention to stall / cruise rpm etc..

 

I know this is an old thread, but I'd like to know what it takes to get 28 mpg with a 307 chevy motor. Any links to info?